Health, be in it

The nature of health knowledge Health information can be located in a variety of formats, including print media (books, magazines and newspapers), videos, DVDs, CDs, pamphlets provided by chemists or by health service providers, public speakers, support groups, non- profit organisations such as the Cancer Council, product labelling and the internet.

Changes in health knowledge and keeping current Access of the general public to health information used to be limited by its lack of availability and the difficulty of medical terms. Consumers can now use the internet to access a wide variety of health related information While the internet can mean finding information is quick and easy, there are problems as well: Not all websites contain reliable information Information can be out of date Some information is commercially biased

Accessing accurate information To make sure any information you get from the internet is reliable and accurate, look for sites well maintained by medical schools, government agencies, professional associations, major national or disease-specific organisations like the National Heart Foundation or Cancer Council. These sites are the most accurate and are more likely to have up-to-date information

Activities Complete ‘analysing advertising’ activity sheet Debate the topic – The media has a powerful influence on what we choose to believe about health products and services. Watch Shake Weight For Men™ - OFFICIAL VIDEO AD and discuss what techniques they use to make the product attractive to buy and also discuss whether students think it would work (why or why not?) Or ‘The Bean’ Advertisement http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esY_-p6eGfI&feature=related

Eating Disorders Binge Eating Disorder The sufferer periodically goes on large binges, consuming an unusually large quantity of food in a short period of time (less than 2 hours) uncontrollably, eating until they are uncomfortably full. Using Binges as a way to hide from their emotions, to fill a void they feel inside, and to cope with daily stresses and problems in their lives.

Eating Disorders Anorexia Nervosa The Eating Disorder, Anorexia, is a unique reaction to a variety of external and internal conflicts, such as stress, anxiety, unhappiness and feeling like life is out of control. The person suffering with Anorexia may be abnormally sensitive about being perceived as fat, or have a massive fear of becoming fat Some of the behavioural signs can be: obsessive exercise, calorie and fat gram counting, starvation and restriction of food, self-induced vomiting, the use of diet pills, laxatives or diuretics to attempt controlling weight, and a persistent concern with body image.

Eating Disorders Bulimia Men and women who live with Bulimia seek out binge and purge episodes - they will eat a large quantity of food in a relatively short period of time and then use behaviours such as taking laxatives or self-induced vomiting. Some of the behavioural signs can be: Recurring episodes of rapid food consumption followed by purging a feeling of lacking control over his or her eating behaviours regularly engaging in stringent diet plans and exercise

Videos TEEN TRUTH: BODY IMAGE Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpFBKeuKf7M Skinny Pressure in Sports http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka4CDScF3bc Amy’s story - 60 minutes http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/videoindex.aspx